Report by Ryan Borrett

Photo by Jonny Warrington

Bayswater City bounced back from their first defeat of the NPL WA season by beating Armadale 2-0 on Saturday at Frank Drago Reserve.

Both goals came from set-pieces in an open match that saw chances at either end.

Last season's champions went ahead on the stroke of half-time when Gian Albano smashed home a loose ball following Paul Lloyd’s corner.

The second came six minutes from time after teenage substitute Luke Salmon caught the Armadale defence napping.

It was a welcome three points for Bayswater coach Chris Coyne after his side went down to Cockburn City last week and he was pleased with how his team executed their dead-ball plays.

“I’m happy with the result,” Coyne said with his side top after six rounds of the competition.

“The goals were a bit sloppy but we’ll take it. We’re always focusing on set-pieces and we know we’re a threat from them.”

The closest Armadale came to equalising was in the 76th minute but Michael Rizidis’ curling effort from outside the box was saved brilliantly by Bayswater keeper Devon Spence.

But their hopes of salvaging a draw were finished on 84 minutes when Salmon flicked the ball past Armadale’s defenders and keeper who were caught off guard.

Coyne said Salmon was a young player with a bright future.

“He’s only 17 years old and that’s twice now he’s come on and made a big impact,” he said.

“Watch this space because I think he’s going places.”

Armadale coach John O’Reilly said his side were unlucky but recognised they had work to do on defending corners and free-kicks.

“It was two set-pieces today, that’s all it was,” he said.

“We weren’t really troubled during open play, so it was disappointing.

“We’ll be working on addressing that this week and creating a bit more in the final third.”

Bayswater City 2 (Albano 45+1min, Salmon 84)
Armadale 0
Saturday, March 31, 2018
Frank Drago Reserve
Kick-off: 3pm
Referee: Tom Glavovic
Assistant referees: Walter Ciotti, Mitchell Barrington

Bayswater City: 1. Devon SPENCE, 4. Arran MAPLESTONE (13. Trent KAY 90+1), 5. Adam HARRIS, 6. Todd HOWARTH, 8. Paul MCCARTHY, 11. Devon GIBSON, 12. David STOKOE, 15. Paul LLOYD, 17. Gian ALBANO, 19. Luka NINKOVIC (22. Luke SALMON 77), 23. Adrija JUKIC (11. Devon GIBSON 62), 24. Jake SARDELIC
Substitutes not used: 10. Jason MIRCO, 25. Dejan ALEKSIC
Yellow cards: Nil
Red cards: Nil

Armadale: 1. Sam HUTCHINGS, 2. Joshua KRUSER, 3. Dylan DA SILVA, 4. Nathan COSTELLO, 5. David ANNALL, 7. Charlie KENNA, 8. Michael LAWSON, 9. Billy QUINNCROFT (6. Brad GRIEPL 87), 11. Michael RIZIDIS (14. Jonathan BOGONI 86), 15. Ali GHOLAMI, 21. Beau RAHIM (17. James ATKINS 77)
Substitutes not used: 12. Cade MCNAMARA, 34. Duncan LENNON-BEACH
Yellow cards: Nil
Red cards: Nil